Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has vehemently condemned allegations by the so-called military spokesperson of the Houthi militia, accusing the Kingdom of blockading the Yemeni people and imposing a maritime blockade.
The Kingdom emphasized its commitment to bringing peace to Yemen and alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people. For years, Saudi Arabia has supported UN efforts to establish peace, including endorsing a roadmap accepted by Yemen's government, which the Houthis rejected, consequently worsening conditions for Yemenis under their control, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry's statement.
Saudi Arabia has collaborated with Yemen's legitimate government to alleviate the people's plight through ongoing development projects, budget support, and fuel provision to power stations. Riyadh prioritizes economic stability and development in Yemen as central to its bilateral relations.
The Kingdom has also boosted services in Yemen via the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, focusing on supporting Yemen’s government in aiding its citizens amid challenging economic circumstances. This effort includes continuous development projects, government budget support, and fuel provision.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry's statement mentioned that in the first half of this year, the ports in northern Yemen (Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Issa) received over 300 ships carrying food, goods, fuel, and construction materials, countering Houthi claims of a blockade. The statement reaffirmed adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 2216, banning arms entry into Yemen that the Houthis seek to prolong their control.
The statement recalled widespread Houthi attacks on Yemeni citizens and infrastructure, such as the December 2020 attack on Aden Airport, causing numerous casualties.
The statement added that during truce periods, Houthis targeted oil export ports in South Yemen in October 2022, disrupting government oil revenue, which makes up 60% of Yemen's budget, affecting salary payments. The militia also seized four Yemeni airline aircraft in Sanaa, used to transport Hajj pilgrims from Jeddah, embroiling Yemen in regional conflicts and targeting Red Sea commercial vessels.
These actions have exacerbated Yemeni suffering, restricted travel, and worsened economic issues, particularly in Houthi-controlled areas. Houthis have rejected initiatives to resume flights from Sanaa Airport, including a recent Jordanian initiative, all while continuing to violate human rights.
In 2024, the Houthis hijacked four Yemeni Airlines planes, preventing departures from Sanaa. The Yemeni government, prioritizing de-escalation and citizens’ mobility, allowed the airline to operate flights between Sanaa and Jordan.
The Saudi statement pointed out that the Houthis are trying to shift blame for economic woes and public disapproval due to their crimes and violations by falsely accusing Saudi Arabia.
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Saudi Arabia's goal is to bring peace to Yemen and ease Yemeni suffering, backing UN peace efforts repeatedly frustrated by the Houthis' refusal. The Kingdom called on the international community to enforce relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly 2216 on Yemen and 2722 on maritime rights in the Red Sea, pledging to take necessary actions to safeguard its vessels in compliance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Kingdom remains steadfast in supporting Yemen and its legitimate government.